These doors are a symbol that people from all four points of the compass are welcome, and that members of all four castes are equally welcome. There’s always a light on in a Gurudwara, to show that the Guru’s Light is always visible and is accessible to everyone at any time.

It is a Sikh festival that takes place on the first of the lunar month of Chet which usually falls in March. This, by a tradition established by Sri Guru Gobind Singh, for the Sikhs to demonstrate their martial skills in simulated battles.

On this three-day grand festival, mock battles, exhibitions, display of weapons, etc., are held followed by kirtan, music and poetry competitions. The participants perform daring feats, such as Gatka (mock encounters with real weapons), tent pegging, bareback horse-riding, standing erect on two speeding horses and various other feats of bravery.

There are also a number of Darbars where the Sri Guru Granth Sahib is present and kirtan and religious lectures take place. On the last day a long procession, led by Panj Pyaras, starts from Takhat Keshgarh Sahib, one of the five Sikh religious seats, and passes through various important Gurudwaras like Qila Anandgarh, Lohgarh Sahib, Mata Jitoji and terminates at the Takhat (Keshgarh).

For people visiting Anandpur Sahib, langars are organized by the local people as a part of Sewa. Raw materials like wheat flour, rice, vegetables, milk and sugar are provided by the villagers living nearby. Women volunteer to cook and others take part in cleaning utensils and other manual tasks that need to be carried out. Traditional cuisine is served to the pilgrims who eat while sitting in rows on the ground.